What: Official Wakarusa Pre-Party

When: Monday, May 3^rd

Where: Rock Island Live

Who: Dirtfoot & Mountain Sprout

Host: NakedCity Magazine & NakedCityWichita.com

WAKARUSA

The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is a 4-day foot-stomping party in the heart of the Midwest. Born in 2004, Wakarusa burst onto the scene with a diverse and eclectic lineup featuring over 70 artists. The 2004 and 2005 bills perked the interest of both devout and casual music fans alike. Fans that made the trip to Wakarusa left with unforgettable stories of the music and the beautiful surroundings. In 2006, Wakarusa returned and quickly established itself as a premiere, grassroots event in the nationwide outdoor music scene. Attracting folks from all 50 U.S. States and 5 countries, the 2006 event featured over 100 artists, 7 stages and over 4 days of non-stop music and entertainment. The 2007 and 2008 events again featured over 100s of artists and drew attendees from all 50 U.S. States and several countries. 2009 marked the event’s first year at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas.

THE LINEUP

STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits, The Black Keys, Slightly Stoopid, John Butler Trio, Blues Traveler, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Bassnectar, Railroad Earth, The Machine performs Pink Floyd, JJ Grey & MOFRO, 7 Walkers feat Papa Mali and Bill Kreutzmann, Lotus, Rebelution, ALO, State Radio, Tea Leaf Green, BoomBox, Black Joe Lewis, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Dub Tribe Soundsystem, Fishbone, EOTO, James Zabiela, Mark Farina, Todd Snider, Split Lip Rayfield, The Mother Hips, Tipper, Ott, Hayes Carll, Tortured Soul, Sub Swara, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Trampled by Turtles, Wookiefoot, Future Rock, Mishka, Kraak & Smaak, Spacemen, MiM0SA, Two Fresh, Big Gigantic, Truth & Salvage Co., Pimps of Joytime, Pete Francis, That One Guy, Ekoostik Hookah, Fort Knox Five , Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Mountain Sprout, Great American Taxi, Band of Heathens, Last Waltz Ensemble, Cash’d Out, The Constellations, Earl Greyhound, LYNX & Janover, Jay, Nash, Supervillians, Bluetech, Backyard Tire Fire, The Bridge, Big Smith (Gospel Grass Set), Shannon McNally & Hot Sauce, Dirtfoot, The Heavy Pets, Spoonfed Tribe, Sunshine Jones, The Uglysuit, Kinetix, Passafire, Simplified, Truckstop Honeymoon, Indofin, Bootleg, Oakhurst, Ben Miller Band, Matthew Mayfield, Wes Kirkpatrick, Hoots & Hellmouth, Deadman Flats, Somasphere, Resident Anti-Hero, Radiohiro, and MC Zulu.

DIRTFOOT

Dirtfoot – a Dose of Gypsy Punk Country Grumble boogie.
“Here’s their deal: Imagine Nick Cave on a bed of rusty nails, the cover of “Gin and Juice” often mis-attributed to Phish (it was actually the Gourds), some old-timey “Dem Bones,” Old Crow Medicine show culture-clash, and that subtle fecal stench of Mr. Bungle skronk sax craziness: Get theses elements, let them stew in an oaken barrel for a number of years and out comes Shreveport, Louisiana’s Dirtfoot.” – Spencer, Synthesis.net

Whether performing on big stages at festivals, or playing intimate setting in pubs and the finer taverns all over the mid west & south, Dirtfoot puts on an uproarious show. The crowds come to take part in the fun and chaos, hollering to all the calls and responses, shaking their beancans, and getting down with the infectious grooves. There is only one Gypsy Punk Country Grumble Boogie band in the land… Dirtfoot.
Led by the organic writings of Matt Hazelton with each player adding his own flavor and feeling to the songs and sound of the group, Dirtfoot is a blend of eclectic styles as well as diverse personalities. All of their instruments are acoustic but their energy and ingenuity will make you swear they are plugged in. Featuring instruments ranging from an acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass, pots n’ pans, drums, bells, saxophone, xylophone and more, this band has a truly engaging sound, a real dose of Gypsy, Punk, Country, Grumble Boogie! It is like a good gumbo – you have some growling vocals, upright bass and percussion that makes a good, dark, dirty Louisiana roux, mixed heartily with some meaty rhythms, combined liberally with fresh offerings from the guitar and banjo that are like okra and tomatoes picked from your backyard garden, topped with the hot n’ sexy spice of the saxophone and jazz style drums, and finally a little something magical and indescribable, and you have Dirtfoot – a delicious, spicy, dirty band that will make you stomp your feet, shake your ass and yell like a lunatic on a full moon night.

MOUNTAIN SPROUT

Mountain Sprout a highly energetic hillbilly music machine, spitting original tunes and blowing minds with clever lyrics and face melting musicianship.   We are a full time touring band and play shows all year round for anyone who will listen.  Just give us a call you too can enjoy the performance of the Mountain Sprout.  If you have a bar we will sell liquor like nobody’s business and if you just want to party, we’ll get em’ all in the mood!

Whether it be Grayson VanSickle playing his machine gun banjo, singing their uniquely lyrical and brazen songs such as local favorites “Screw the Government” and “One More for the Ditch”, or guitarist Adam Waggs, who yanks up the melody and keeps our feet movin’. With a smile on his face, Daniel Redmond pulls cannon fire notes from his stand-up, dog house base, and Blayne Thiebaud gives the crowd a show, burnin’ rosin and bendin’ his bow on the fiddle. Together, they are MOUNTAIN SPROUT.

Playing around 250 shows a year, including music festivals such as Wakarusa, Winfield, and Mulberry Mountain Music Festival. They have performed in venues large and small. From opening up for Willie Nelson, to opening up another beer at the local and not-so-local bars, MOUNTAIN SPROUT is a true crowd favorite.

Since forming in 2007, MOUNTAIN SPROUT has released three recordings, beginning with the original debut album “One More for the Ditch”, followed by a collection of traditional tunes entitled “Fambilly Hour”, and topped by another CD of original songs called “Into the Sun”.  Also soon to have the latest addition to the collection “Habits to Feed”.

Over 30 years and 9 albums later, Rick Estrin is completely on fire.

This is a guy that jammed with Muddy Waters when he was only 20 years old.

His gig with Little Charlie & The Nightcats transformed into Rick Estrin & The Nightcats when Charlie stopped touring. Leading the band with new direction, their performance last night was like a cranked up and “Twisted” Blues version of the Pink Panther. Ricks crafty story telling, entertaining wit, along with three additional supercharged musicians (The Nightcats) on stage, bring new meaning to the word masterful.

With Rick Estrin smoking the harmonica and harp, Kid Anderson an animal on the guitar, Lorenzo Farrell on bass and keyboard and J. Hansen on drums there really isn’t anywhere left to go but up for these “cats”.

RICK ESTRIN INTERVIEW
(before the show)

One of the best harp, harmonica, singer/songwriter and Blues entertainers on the planet sat down and got a little personal. There’re times we want to dig deep, go beyond what we see on stage or read about in the paper or on the internet. This is a cool dude. Rick wears movie director Ray Ban sunglasses and sleek very comfortable looking threads. From San Francisco, he’s soft spoken, street regal in a way, passionate about life and the wisdom that came with time.

The weather was perfect. The show opened two hours later.

What do you think about Wichita?
I dig it here.
Use to play with Little Charlie And The Wildcats. Fronting the band, wrote songs and played at the Coyote Club and later on it was the Roadhouse. Oh, that was 20 or so years ago. I’ve played in joints from shotguns to stadiums, from one end of America to the other and overseas. This is a cool joint (Rock Island Live). Didn’t know this place was here. Yeah, cool.

How’s it going with the Nightcats?
The bands like a dysfunctional family (he laughs), but we mesh good together. I’m older than all of them. Don’t know anything else really, no skills, and no education. This is what I do. I’ve been all over the United States and overseas doing what I like. When people come out to see us, that’s how we make a living.

Who would you like to work with?
Someone with talents I don’t have.
I’d really like to be in a Martin Scorcese film.

What’s your biggest achievement?
Getting as far and old as I’ve gotten. I’m 60 now.

Have you ever wanted to be someone else?
No. It took me so long, like over 30 years to be where I’m at today you know. I became all right with myself finally.

Ever since a kid, I wanted to be an artist. I started drawing. Then it was chicks, than Fats Domino and Little Richard music my sister turned me on to.

I never had a plan. Just kind of bobbled through life and kept the interest in what I’m still doing, trying to keep it alive.

I’ve made some stupid choices in the past. I was a character like Mr. Mc Goo.

Maturity is overrated. Responsibility is something to develop.

What’s your favorite food or drink?
I like anything that is bad for me. But, generally try to keep it healthy. Got to give up some things to keep on doing what you love.

Any other passions?
To show my life and maintain the ability to still have some laughs.

This is the most unusual interview I’ve ever had. It’s been personal and I like that.

http://rickestrin.com/

SPECIAL THANKS: Would like to personally thank Don Bean/ Bad Bean Productions for setting up the interview and providing a killer front row table and off the chain venue. Keep doing what you’re doing man. Its greatly appreciated and we feel your passion for Blues.

For more than 30 years and nine albums, Rick fronted the jumping, swinging Little Charlie & The Nightcats, featuring guitarist Little Charlie Baty. With Baty’s recent retirement from touring, Estrin — along with the Nightcats longtime rhythm section of J. Hansen and Lorenzo Farrell and a new member, fiery guitarist Kid Andersen — takes the lead on his own. The band’s debut album, Twisted, while still swinging the blues, is a harmonica-driven, rocking, guitar-fueled rave-up. Featuring 14 songs (including 10 Estrin originals, two by Kid Andersen, one by Hansen, and a superb band-created instrumental), Twisted showcases Rick’s seemingly effortless command of the harmonica, his streetwise vocals and his remarkable original songs.
In addition to his harmonica and vocal skills, Rick Estrin is a songwriter of unparalleled talent. Critics have compared him to Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan and Willie Dixon. Blues Revue declared, “Estrin has created some of the finest blues songs of any artist on the planet. His carefully wrought lyrics penetrate human weakness with the precision of a boxer, though more often than not, he chooses to leave you laughing after the blow’s been struck.”

Rock Island Live, 101 North Rock Island
$15 @ Door
Doors open @ 6:30 Show @ 7:30 p.m.
21 to enter

photos > MARITA MEYER

This weekend, I received a musical injection from two master artists in the Blues and Rock world at Rock Island Live courtesy of Bad Bean Productions.

As music bellowed, Mike Potts painted Ray Charles and Marilyn Monroe on canvas opposite the stage. The patio was open to the concert room, the cool air flowing on both nights, and the sound of great music could be heard throughout the street and alleyway. This was a packed house, the crowd blended and ageless, as magic emanated from the stage. Drinking and dancing, we were all getting our groove on.

Mike Zito is a guitar God. He played Saturday night with effortless passion that put tears in my eyes – he’s that good. His style is a combo of New Orleans funk and gritty old school blues, with a rock-n-roll bad-ass feel.

A national artist nominated for best Blues/Rock album of the year award “Pearl River” by BMA, Mike’s a great guy with a passion for music and his family. Off stage, he’s quiet and calm.

His newest release, “Pearl River”, was also nominated for the best song of the year award by BMA, collaborating with famed artist Cyril Neville.

Jason Ricci, an international artist also nominated for best Blues/ Rock album of the year award with “Done with the Devil” by BMA and up for best harmonica player of the year. His performance and entertainment value rife with theatrical moves, and the crispiest harmonica playing I’ve ever witnessed. Aqua-Lung in my book. His musical style is an abstract version of gritty and contemporary blues, rock, and influences from almost any genre imaginable. Spell music with a “k”, and that’s Jason’s style. His newest release, “Done with the Devil”, is arguably his best work of art. To do his will, live and breathe music, writing, and animals are what he is passionate about. He’s extremely intelligent and different than most, with a lot of energy, he is blanketed in controversy on several levels.

During the second set, Mike Zito from the night before, dressed in drag, jumped on-stage with an electric guitar and began smoking the strings to Muddy Waters. This was an awesomely hilarious prank pulled on Jason. The crowd went wild!

I was mesmerized, held in musical bondage, both nights by these two artists presented by Don Bean of Bad Bean Productions. When either of these two great songwriters jammed a cover, they were all over it, playing better than the original, and that rocks.

These guys have played all over the world, collaborating with some of the best musicians and songwriters in the business. I’ve been to many concerts, but this weekend is etched in my memory.

Rock Island Live and Bad Bean Productions have made their mark, showcasing some of the best talent on the planet, at the most versatile music venue in the city of Wichita, KS.

Thanks for the injection guys.

Bejeweled in balls—red, blue, yellow, and green. Empowerment, they hope you’ll glean.

Their upbeat sound has shades of punk, peppered with psychedelic funk.

While Kansas City they call their home, the larger world they aim to roam.

They once were in the ICT, their aura got the best of me.

When Kick Kick takes a sonic stroll, the masses unite—that is their goal.

And if your life is at a loss, their music might make you the boss!

That’s my Seussical summary of Kick Kick. This is a good month to profile them, because more than any other area ensemble, they unwittingly encompass the matchless spirit of the good Doctor.  They’re a colorful group, with a definite message. They never take themselves too seriously and are always up for a bit of ironic fun.

Last summer I was blown away by their First Friday performance at Rock Island Live. Jackets sporting colorful playpen balls caught my attention. Blaring ballads with a buoyant message kept me on the edge of my seat. To be at a Kick Kick show is to take a futuristic leap in time to a day when adversity has been transcended and you are the unassailable boss.

I could describe their style as a mixture of punk and psychedelic rock, but “boss” is the word the band might choose. “It’s like a state of mind. It’s an attitude of empowerment. Its music that makes you feel you can put a hole through the wall. It’s saying that you can do it,” says member J.B. Kick.

Kick Kick hopes their optimism will serve as a force for unifying the masses. Though their music was created in a suburban Kansas City cellar, they hope to engulf the world with their sound. “Boppers, hipsters, burnouts, valedictorians, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers—they’re all invited to the same party, all dancing, all free,” says J.B. “Our fans definitely have a sense of humor and understand irony.”

So far that party has been regional, but the band plans to expand their appeal in the near future. In the meantime, they have released, Powerplay, a 12-track album with their bossy style on full display. Having the audacity to be yourself and chase your dreams is one of life’s greatest challenges.  Through his writing, Dr. Seuss found jesting ways to reinforce the importance of those ambitions. That’s what Kick Kick does with their music. When they take to the stage, they take command of it. In doing so, they are telling all of us to take charge of our own stage—whatever that may be.

Kick Kick hopes to return to the ICT soon, so be on the lookout for bright colored balls attached to suit jackets!

You can visit kickkickmusic.com to learn more about the band. Their album is available for purchase on their website and for download on iTunes, Amazon, and Rhapsody.